Detroit2019 Volkswagen Jetta: Here's What we Know so FarThis year鈥檚 Detroit Auto Show is filled with exciting new cars and trucks, among which is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. Remember, the Jetta hasn鈥檛 seen a complete overhaul since 2011. And this time, Volkswagen seems to have learned from its lessons. The Four-door Golf is Back! NewsVolkswagen unveils 2016 enthusiast show fleetVolkswagen of America has unveiled its 2016 enthusiast show fleet that features five models from the brand's lineup. Golf 1.8T Inspired by the famous Bali Green paint colour from the Mk 1 Volkswagen Rabbit, the 2016 Golf 1.8T show car brings this classic look to the modern day. NewsAJAC鈥檚 2016 Canadian Car of The Year Awards: Testing Begins This WeekThe 28 th edition of what is affectionately known as Testfest is under way. Ratings For The 2016 Volkswagen Golf And JettaThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS, has given their highest recognition to the German brand鈥檚 compact models, now that they鈥檙e available with optional forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking systems. NewsVolkswagen Modernizes The 2016 GLIVolkswagen has been building the iconic GTI for a while now, and the small hatchback has earned itself a reputation as a versatile vehicle, offering practicality and driving pleasure like very few others. In its shadow sits the Jetta GLI. NewsVolkswagen refreshes Jetta GLI for 2016 model yearLooking for hot hatch performance with sedan styling? Volkswagen has your back, with the redesigned 2016 Jetta GLI, a car that gets a sportier look to match its GTI-derived performance chops.
GM executives and analysts see Baojun's move upmarket as a natural progression as the brand seeks to stay relevant to younger consumers. It is also supported by a large existing customer base. Amid a slowing economy, sales slipped last year to around 840,000, accounting for 23 percent of GM vehicles sold in China. Han Dehong, senior sales manager at SGMW, said the venture had been exploring a makeover of the Baojun brand since 2014 in tandem with a wide-ranging overhaul of its R&D, supply chain and distribution system. Compared to 10 years ago when there few models in the mid-market price range, competition has become fierce. Popular models include Toyota Motor Corp's Corolla and Volkswagen's Lavida. VW's newly launched Jetta brand, which like Baojun is a China-only brand, is expected to also be sold in the same range. Yale Zhang, head of Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight, noting that Volkswagen is known for quality, Geely Autombile Holdings is known for design while Great Wall Motor vehicles offer roomy interiors. To set itself apart, the revamped Baojun brand will emphasise self-driving technology and internet connectivity, GM officials said. The new models will be sold in 365 new or refurbished showrooms, equivalent to 60 percent of Baojun stores across China. The brand will also strengthen its presence in bigger cities like Chengdu, Tianjin and Nanjin. A new mobile phone app was also recently launched, allowing customers to arrange a test drive and buy the new models online. GM officials declined to say how much the automaker had invested in the new models, the logo redesign and new stores. Tsien said GM had little concern that a more upmarket Baojun might eat into sales of GM's Chevrolet as Chinese customers interested in buying a Chevy tend not to be attracted to domestic brands. Roughly equivalent vehicles would also be priced differently. Whereas the most expensive version of the RS-5 will cost 132,800 yuan, the Chevy Equinox SUV will start from 174,900 yuan.
U.S. Highway 143 through the Joyce Kilmer National Forest is another fun drive, and for this one a 35th Anniversary GLI with a manual transmission and adaptive dampers is calling my name. This road isn鈥檛 as smooth as the Dragon, and Sport mode shows that the adjustable dampers become firmer in the Sport setting than the base suspension. That leads to some skidding over patched pavement, but switching to Normal mode creates a smoother ride that keeps the tires on the pavement and enhances grip. I play with the drive mode controller鈥檚 Custom setting and choose Normal for the dampers, engine sound, and climate control, and Sport for the steering, differential, and engine/transmission. That setup gives me a car with a smooth but still sporty ride and a relaxed engine note but an aggressive throttle. I also appreciate the slick shifter in this car. It offers short, positive throws that slide dutifully into gear, and a natural clutch take-up.
It can be hard to get underway on an incline, though. It requires goosing the throttle to get the revs up to avoid stalling the engine. The rest of the GLI is either standard Jetta or cosmetic. The exterior changes add an element of sportiness to a car that is otherwise rather vanilla. Up front, it has a honeycomb grille with a red stripe inspired by the GTI. The front and rear bumpers attempt a meaner grin, side skirts help lower the car further, beyond its 0.6-inch drop compared to the standard Jetta. Red brake calipers sit behind the 18-inch wheels for a final sporty touch. Inside, the GLI gets red accents and a smattering of comfort features. VW offers base S, 35th Anniversary, and Autobahn models. All have heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a center touchscreen 6.5 inches across, or bigger. All GLIs also come with forward-collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alerts. 1,000 more, though, because its adjustable dampers provide a better ride. Oddly, VW doesn鈥檛 offer navigation in any model, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibilty can handle that duty. The VW Golf GTI is one of my favorite cars because it鈥檚 fun to drive, has a practical hatchback body style, and comes at reasonable prices. The 2019 Jetta GLI channels that car better than ever, mostly because parts from the GTI lend a similar character to this sedan. It may not have a rear hatch, but the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI has a large trunk, a useful rear seat, and sporty moves inspired by its beloved cousin. I鈥檓 glad there are still cars like the Jetta GLI despite buyers鈥?preferences for SUVs. Sometimes the fog lifts and the road opens up before you, and that鈥檚 where a sport sedan like the Jetta GLI makes all the difference.
